Arsenic mobility and toxicity in South and South-east Asia – a review on biogeochemistry, health and socio-economic effects, remediation and risk predictions

Abstract

Environmental context The presence of high arsenic concentrations in South and South-east Asian groundwater causes dramatic health issues for the local population. As a consequence, scientists, governments and agencies investigate arsenic-related health issues and arsenic origin, fate and behaviour in ground- and drinking water and have started to provide remediation and mitigation strategies. This review broadly summarises our current knowledge on arsenic biogeochemistry, health and socio-economic effects, remediation and risk predications in Asia and discusses current and future research directions. Abstract The dramatic situation caused by high arsenic concentrations in ground and drinking water in South and South-east Asia has been investigated and discussed by the scientific community in the past twenty years. Multifaceted and interdisciplinary research extended our understanding of the origin, distribution and effects of As in this region of the world. Scientists have joined forces with local authorities and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and aid agencies to provide help, education, and assistance to the millions of people exposed to As. Current research focuses on predicting the behaviour of As in the subsurface, developing strategies to remove As from drinking water and remediating As-contaminated groundwater. This introductory review of the research front ‘Arsenic Biogeochemistry and Health’ gives a broad overview on the current knowledge of As biogeochemistry, exposure, health, toxicity and As-caused socioeconomic effects. Furthermore, the current research directions in predicting the presence and spreading of As in groundwater, assessing its risk and potential strategies to remove As from drinking water and to remediate contaminated environments are discussed.